2024 NFL Draft Grades: Los Angeles Chargers
The 2024 NFL Draft is now in the rearview mirror, and we have compiled a consensus ranking using NFL draft grades from a variety of sites.
What draft grades have the media given to the Los Angeles Chargers? What are they saying about the Chargers' 2024 draft haul?
NFL.com - Grade: A-
Day 2 grade: A-
Day 3 grade: A
Analysis: Alt will doubtlessly be a good offensive tackle for the next decade or more, but Chargers fans will keep one eye on receiver Malik Nabers, who went sixth overall to the Giants, to see if he would have been a better pick. McConkey could quiet any such concerns with his quickness and excellent routes if able to stay health. Head coach Jim Harbaugh found a leader on defense in Colson, who played that role for Harbaugh at Michigan.
Eboigbe fits as a rotational defensive lineman who gives full effort on each play. Hart and Still fulfill the team's need at corner for good value, and Rice (son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice) and Johnson were needed for a thin receiver room. Vidal is a low-center-of-gravity back who could take over for departed veteran Austin Ekeler if veteran JK Dobbins is not ready to go following last year's torn Achilles.
ESPN - Grade: B+
The Chargers are another team resetting this offseason, and they hired coach Jim Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz to lead a mini-rebuild. I say "mini" because they already know they have a franchise quarterback with Justin Herbert, so they've completed the hardest part of a roster teardown. Still, they entered the draft with massive questions at wide receiver, where Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston are Nos. 1 and 2 on their depth chart. We know Harbaugh wants to build his offense around the running game -- and dominating teams at the line of scrimmage -- but he can't just avoid upgrading his pass-catchers ... right?
Wrong. Well, at least in Round 1. Harbaugh and Hortiz selected the best offensive tackle in the class in Joe Alt (5), who likely will move over to the right side. I can't say I'm that shocked based on what we know about Harbaugh's preferred style of football, but Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze would have been perfect targets for Justin Herbert.
The Chargers did add a wideout by trading up three spots in Round 2 for Ladd McConkey (34), who is fun to watch once the ball gets in his hands. Will he be a true No. 1 outside target? No, but he can be used in a variety of ways and will be a threat to score on every route. I love this fit. Harbaugh knows linebacker Junior Colson (69) well from their time together at Michigan, and the team didn't reach for Colson, either. I'm a fan. Justin Eboigbe (105) has some pass-rush potential from his defensive tackle spot. Wide receiver Brenden Rice (225) was the best available player on my board for a large chunk of Saturday. His size and speed should allow him to compete for a role in this receiver room.
The Chargers now have two of the most talented tackles in the NFL, though they could still stand to add a pass-catcher for Herbert. I wonder if Hortiz and Harbaugh have another move up their sleeve after the draft.
MORE: Los Angeles Chargers 2024 NFL Draft Roundup
Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft Roundup 1.0
Throughout the year and leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, we will update our Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Los Angeles Chargers from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Chargers:
Fox Sports - Rob Rang (5/3)
15. James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
ESPN - Jordan Reid (5/2)
16. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
MORE: Continue reading our 2025 Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft Roundup
Los Angeles Chargers 2024 NFL Schedule
Below you will find the weekly regular-season schedule for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Week | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) / Tickets |
---|---|---|---|
Week 1 | Sun., Sept. 8 | vs. Las Vegas Raiders | W 22-10 |
Week 2 | Sun., Sept. 15 | at Carolina Panthers | W 26-3 |
Week 3 | Sun., Sept. 22 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 20-10 |
Week 4 | Sun., Sept. 29 | vs. Kansas City Chiefs | L 17-10 |
Week 5 | BYE | ||
Week 6 | Sun., Oct. 13 | at Denver Broncos | W 23-16 |
Week 7 | Mon., Oct. 21 | at Arizona Cardinals | 8:15 PM / Tickets |
Week 8 | Sun., Oct. 27 | vs. New Orleans Saints | 4:05 PM / Tickets |
Week 9 | Sun., Nov. 3 | at Cleveland Browns | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
Week 10 | Sun., Nov. 10 | vs. Tennessee Titans | 4:05 PM / Tickets |
Week 11 | Sun., Nov. 17 | vs. Cincinnati Bengals | 4:25 PM / Tickets |
Week 12 | Mon., Nov. 25 | vs. Baltimore Ravens | 8:15 PM / Tickets |
Week 13 | Sun., Dec. 1 | at Atlanta Falcons | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
Week 14 | Sun., Dec. 8 | at Kansas City Chiefs | 8:20 PM / Tickets |
Week 15 | Sun., Dec. 15 | vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 4:25 PM / Tickets |
Week 16 | Sun., Dec. 22 | vs. Denver Broncos | 4:05 PM / Tickets |
Week 17 | TBD | at New England Patriots | TBD / Tickets |
Week 18 | TBD | at Las Vegas Raiders | TBD / Tickets |
Also, check out the following resources:
Los Angeles Chargers - 2024 Draft Results
The table below are all of the 2024 NFL Draft picks selected by the Los Angeles Chargers.
Round | Overall | Player | Position | School |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 5 | Joe Alt | OT | Notre Dame |
2 | 34 | Ladd McConkey | WR | Georgia |
3 | 69 | Junior Colson | LB | Michigan |
4 | 105 | Justin Eboigbe | DT | Alabama |
5 | 137 | Tarheeb Still | CB | Maryland |
5 | 140 | Cam Hart | CB | Notre Dame |
6 | 181 | Kimani Vidal | RB | Troy |
7 | 225 | Brenden Rice | WR | USC |
7 | 253 | Cornelius Johnson | WR | Michigan |
More: 2024 NFL Draft Results - Los Angeles Chargers Draft History